What this fall's breed of two-pieces can do for you... as long as you go forth boldly.

What the new breed of double-breasted suits can do for you

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Step 1: Give the DB Suit a Chance

Step 1: Give the DB Suit a Chance

Used to be that wearing a suit to work was an act of submission, of following a code. But today it's more like an act of aggression — that in a world in which suiting up is increasingly seen as optional, wearing a suit, much less one of the new breed of slim-cut double-breasted suits, brands you a maverick. The DB suit is swagger incarnate.

Step 1: Give the DB Suit a Chance

Used to be that wearing a suit to work was an act of submission, of following a code. But today it's more like an act of aggression — that in a world in which suiting up is increasingly seen as optional, wearing a suit, much less one of the new breed of slim-cut double-breasted suits, brands you a maverick. The DB suit is swagger incarnate.

Step 2: Find the Right Suit

The beef most of us have with old-school DB suits is that all the extra cloth can make even the fittest guy look kind of beefy. To prevent the undue appearance of extra pounds, look for wools (or wool-silk blends) in the ten-to-fourteen-ounce range. When in doubt, it's always better to go light than heavy.

Step 3: Nail the Details

There are all kinds of configurations for the buttons on a DB jacket, and for our money, the six-on-two (i.e., pretty much all the suits pictured here) is the most versatile and flattering. Also: There is a time for a notch lapel in a man's style arsenal, and the DB suit ain't it. Look for peak lapels that provide some angles (and some attitude) to the proceedings.

Step 4: Get the Right Fit

If you're a member of the one-size-up, I-like-my-jacket-roomy club, the DB suit is not for you. The jacket should hug your sides, the sleeves should be cut slim, and the shoulders should have as little padding as possible. The close fit you get with most of today's double-breasted suits is essential for pulling it off.

Step 5: Go All the Way

You can get away with playing it safe in the shirt, tie, and accessories departments, but the whole point of the double-breasted suit is to do whatever the opposite of playing it safe is. Take chances with patterns, colors, and textures, and if sparks fly, all the better.